Taken from Portali Shkodra Sod.

On December 30, 1940, the Albanian Homer, Father Gjergj Fishta, passed away. His funeral was attended by prominent personalities from Shkodra and all over Albania. Father Gjergj Fishta was buried with great honors on December 31, 1940. Among the high-ranking figures who attended the ceremony was Hafiz Ali Kraja, who delivered a brilliant speech for his precious friend, Father Gjergj Fishta.

Hafiz Ali Kraja was one of the most famous Muslim intellectuals of Shkodra. His speech at the funeral ceremony of the distinguished cleric is considered among the most beautiful speeches delivered on such occasions. What makes it even more special is the fact that a hoxha dedicated such a high and noble text to a priest. They were great intellectuals and living proof of true religious coexistence.

Following is the full speech delivered by Hafiz Ali Kraja:

“National poet, Father Gjergj! When an orator, wanting to speak about your works, is stunned, confused, because they are so many, so great and magnificent, that it is difficult to determine which one should be spoken about…

The future writers of Albanian history will judge our political life on the basis of “The Malcian Lute”, your monumental masterpiece. Be convinced, o Great Poet, that the Albanian with “The Malcian Lute” will always be as proud as the Greeks with the Iliad and the Persians with the Shahnameh, since you, with that sublime work, have introduced to the civilized world the psyche and most sensitive characteristics of the Albanian people…

With you, Father Gjergj, the Albanian nation boasts, exalts and is magnified before the peoples of the world. “That is why today the entire Albanian people are humbled, the intellectual youth mourns your loss and with tears on their faces follows you with longing and pain into the afterlife.”